title: The Grog Mob: lessons from an evaluation of a multi-disciplinary alcohol intervention for Aboriginal clients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a 12-month trial of an evidence-based non-residential treatment program for Indigenous clients with alcohol problems, offering three streams of care: pharmacotherapy, psychological and social support.
  
  
  METHODS
  Process evaluation of program implementation; outcome evaluation of client outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  despite constraints of time and remoteness, the trial demonstrated the feasibility of implementing such a program. The medical stream generated fewer pharmacotherapy prescriptions than expected. The most active stream was the psychological therapy stream.
  
  
  RESULTS
  between March 2008 and April 2009, 129 clients were referred to the program, of whom 49 consented to have de-identified data used for the evaluation. Of these, 19 clients received one or more streams of care, 15 of whom (78.9%) subsequently stopped or reduced drinking. However, among the remaining 30 consenting clients who had not received an intervention, 70.0% also reported stopping or reducing drinking. The evidence of program effectiveness is therefore equivocal and evaluation over a longer period is required.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The trial demonstrated the viability of, and demand for, evidence-based non-residential treatment for Indigenous clients with alcohol problems. Reasons behind an apparent reluctance among GPs to prescribe pharmacotherapy for Indigenous clients, and steps to overcome this, need further attention.
authors.affiliation: Menzies School of Health Research, Northern Territory Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Northern Territory Research Consultant, Northern Territory Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Northern Territory.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: d'Abbs
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Togni
authors.forename: Clive
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosewarne
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boffa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Indigenous health services; alcohol abuse; ambulatory care; evidence-based practice; program evaluation